GAINESVILLE -- The No. 18 Gators are world-beaters in a
number of defensive categories nationally, but UF is Floyd Mayweather Jr. money
when it comes to forcing opponents off the field on third down.

Sophomore sensation Dante Fowler Jr. calls it “gold time,”
as the Gators top the country in third down defense: allowing a ridiculous 17.8
percent (8-of-45) conversion rate.

Filthy.

“We emphasize it a lot, 'cause that's basically the down you
get off the field, so three-and-outs, third downs, things like that,” said
Fowler, who is second in the Southeastern Conference in tackles for loss (6.0).

“Everybody, the defensive line pins their eyes back and the
secondary gets ready, so we can get off the field and get our offense back on
the field. That's like putting up points for us."

Florida (3-1, 2-0 SEC) and Arkansas (3-2, 0-1 SEC) kickoff Saturday
at 7 p.m on ESPN2 -- UF’s first night game in The Swamp since its 2011
regular-season finale loss to Florida State -- in a battle of strengths: The
Gators’ suffocating defense versus the Razorbacks’ physical rushing attack.

Arkansas -- under new coach Bret Bielema -- average 237
rushing yards per game, more yards than Florida has allowed on the ground all
season (214).

In addition to their third down dominance, the Gators lead
the nation in rushing defense, surrendering just 53.50 yards per contest.

Something’s got to give tonight...

Onto the selections

PICKS

3-2-1 last week. A garbage touchdown
in the South Carolina-UCF game stole a win.

Scoreboard: 17-11-1 ATS, 1-3
selecting Florida games

This week's six-pack:

Miami (-5.5) vs. Georgia Tech

Georgia (-11.5) at Tennessee

LSU (-9.5) at Mississippi State

Stanford (-6.5) vs. Washington

Vanderbilt (+1) vs. Mizzou

And finally, Arkansas (+13) at
Florida. Ok, I’ve been pretty damn good
picking every game EXCEPT the team I cover on a daily basis. Weird. I
technically hit on the under again last week (-46 vs. UK) but taking the
Wildcats at +11 proved futile. So why am I doing it again? I don’t know, but
that’s a lot of points for a UF team that still struggles to produce explosive
plays. With its upcoming schedule, the Gators really, really, really need this
win, so perhaps they’ll stuff Arkansas lethal rushing attack and hit a couple
home runs.